June 01, 2010

Koofteh Shevid Baghali - Persian Dill & Lima Beans Koofteh


کوفته شوید باقالی  koofteh shevid baghali is made with ground meat, rice, baby Lima beans and fresh dill, made into a ball with tasty fillings in the center for that additional burst of nutty and sweet flavor. This delicious one-dish meal is worth every bit of effort and time that goes into preparing it. To me, some meals are works of art that you can't help but marvel at and appreciate the ingenuity that brought about its creation. This koofteh happens to be one of them.


As I rinse the rice, pick apart the feathery dill tips, steam the beans and put the dinner together, I am filled with gratitude and a heartfelt appreciation that I get to make a dish that is as homey as it can get, share it with people that I deeply care about, later put my head down on a pillow in a safe place each night, and send my kids to school in the morning. Isn't this what we all want and every human being deserves? I wish every person a safe home, a loving family, good friends, food on the table, and good health.


Koofteh Shevid Baghali - Persian Dill & Lima Beans Koofteh

Ingredients:
Makes about 18 Koofteh

1 cup of rice, rinsed, there's no need to soak
1 pound ground lamb or beef 
1 pound baby Lima beans (fresh or frozen) if frozen, thawed
2 bunches dill, remove the hard stems and discard, wash and finely chop, makes about 2 cups (use less if you prefer)
3 medium-sized onions (grate one onion for the mixture and the other two need to be thinly sliced)
3 eggs
2 tablespoons flour (I used chickpea flour)
2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon turmeric
Oil for frying
Water
Salt and pepper to taste

Fillings:

Raisins, chopped walnuts, barberries, fried onions

Method:
  1. Place rice in a medium-size pan, add 2 cups of water and a tablespoon of salt, cook for 7-10 minutes on medium heat, drain. Set aside.
  2. Cook the beans for 5-7 minutes or until soften on medium heat with 2 cups of water and a dash of salt. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl combine rice, meat, lima beans, dill, eggs, flour, a grated onion, minced garlic cloves, 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly yet gently.
  4. Take about 1/3 of a cup of the mixture and shape it into a ball. Place about 1/2 teaspoon of the filling of your choice in the middle and close. Set aside.
  5. heat 3 tablespoons oil in the meantime, in a wide heavy-bottomed pot, saute sliced onions over medium heat until transparent. Add 1/3 teaspoon turmeric, 3-4 cups of water, bring to a gentle boil, and place the koftas in the pot one by one. Add more water if needed. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook for an hour on medium to low heat. 
  6. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
You can also bake this in a 350 degrees preheated oven for an hour. Serve warm with yogurt, salad, or pickles and warm lavash or pita bread. I posted my favorite recipe for Herbed Koofteh a while back, please check it out if you're interested.


Enjoy, peace and blessings!

14 comments:

  1. Azita

    I love this and i have never had it before! Can't wait to check it out; if it tastes anything like the rice version I am going to die!

    ReplyDelete
  2. and i wish you the same, Azita Joon. a lovely dish and a lovely prayer for all. x shayma

    ReplyDelete
  3. A beautiful dish, and a beautiful post. I will try preparing it for sure. I often feel fortunate as well to have the possibility of feeding the ones I love, of dedicating some of my time in preparing something nice and healthy.
    I really miss not being able to cook for my parents as they live far away, and they miss cooking for me too: when we do get together, we really spoil each other, and when we are far away , we always share recipes.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Azita, what an interesting dish...like the combination of the ingredients...it sure should taste delicious...nice presentation as usual :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a great combo with the lima beans and dill, sounds super delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow, this is a really cool dish. Your thoughts of gratitude warmed my heart. I feel the same as you do: very fortunate and blessed.

    ReplyDelete
  7. very nice post...I love kufteh!!

    shannon
    http://www.themessyapron.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love all of the wonderful vegetarian dishes that you come up with! They always look so tasty.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love this dish and now I have the recipe to make it for myself

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm not seeing in the method section of this recipe where the meat is added. I'm assuming in step 3?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wishy the Writer, the meat is added in step 3 and I've made the correction in the method section. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love the addition of dill. What a great recipe. By the way, added you to my blog roll. I love your foodie photography.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Google sreach led me to your blog and this recipe sounds fantastic, so i am gonna try it
    cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I grew up eating this dish. I believe it was made with Fava beans instead of Lima's. This dish is very common is Isfahan.

    ReplyDelete